AI is reshaping the world — is your career ready?
From business to law, education to engineering, and the arts to theology, artificial intelligence — especially generative AI — is revolutionizing every corner of the economy.
Forward-thinking professionals understand the need to prepare for this transformation.
SMU’s AI for Leaders Graduate Certificate is designed for busy professionals who want to explore how AI intersects with their field. Taught by leading SMU faculty, this flexible program draws on the university’s rich academic strengths to offer real-world insights into the future of work, leadership, and innovation.
Stay ahead of the curve. Gain the knowledge and tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Classes start every semester:
Fall, Spring & Summer
Spring 2026 Priority Admission Deadline: October 1, 2025
Spring 2026 Final Application Deadline: December 1, 2025
Online & in-person options
12 credit hours/ 4 courses
1 - 4 semesters
$13,200
($1000/credit hour + $100/hour fees)
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The SMU AI for Leaders Graduate Certificate brings together the strengths of three renowned schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Lyle School of Engineering, and the Perkins School of Theology. With courses drawn from multiple disciplines, you have the freedom to tailor your learning path to your interests and career goals.
Each course is uniquely structured to match the subject matter and the teaching style of expert faculty. That means your learning experience may vary — and that’s a good thing.
You might experience:
No matter your background, you’ll gain practical, actionable skills — on your time, in your way.
Data Science Enabled Citizen Engineering
Credits: 3
Applying principles of data science and machine learning to solving complex engineering problems in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. Introduction to data preparation, feature selection, model selection, and regression, clustering, and classification approaches to machine learning. Experiential and project-based learning with community stakeholders to develop systems awareness (systems thinking and sensing) and data-driven reasoning. Ethical perspectives on the impacts of societal challenges that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations (e.g., climate change, increasing natural hazards, shrinking resources, loss of biodiversity, aging infrastructure).
Artificial Intelligence
Credits: 3
Introduces basic principles of problem-solving, planning, and reasoning under uncertainty used in artificial intelligence. This includes solving problems using search, logic, probabilistic reasoning, and machine learning. This course requires working knowledge of programming and the ability to implement advanced data structures and algorithms from scratch.
Doing Data Science
Credits: 3
An introduction to methods, concepts, and current practice in the growing field of data science, including statistical inference, algorithms, financial modeling, data visualization, social networks, and data engineering.
Bioethics
Credits: 3
A study of critical religious and moral issues affected by recent developments in the biological sciences and in medical technologies and practices. Topics include experimentation on human subjects, abortion, physician—patient relationships, and access to the health care system by the poor and ethnic minorities. Also, the decision to let someone die, the nature and determination of death, and the concept of health.
Issues in Science and Theology
Credits: 3
An overview and examination of the interaction of science and theology, with an emphasis on selected areas of study. Specific attention is given to the historical interaction of science and theology, as well as to their mutual concerns and respective methods.
| Cost per credit hour | $1,000 |
| Total credits | 12 |
| Total tuition* | $12,000 |
| Distance learning fee** | $100 per credit hour |
*Tuition and fees are subject to change.
**The distance learning fee is not included in the total tuition price and will be added to each course per credit hour.
Tuition and fees do not include the cost of textbooks and materials, which vary by course. Students are provided with a list of required textbooks and materials upon registration.
Students enrolled in SMU’s Graduate programs are encouraged to request federal and state financial aid by . SMU’s FAFSA code is 003613.
For information about funding your graduate education, contact SMU’s Student Financial Services at GradFinAid@smu.edu or 214-768-3417.
Active military service members, veterans and their spouses and dependents have access to additional funding through the Yellow Ribbon Program in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Yellow Ribbon Program allows military service members and their families to utilize funds to cover tuition expenses and other costs, including books and fees.
For more information about funding for military service members and veterans, contact VABenefits@smu.edu or 214-738-4348.
The ideal student is curious, technically adept, and prepared for graduate-level coursework. Professionals from most industries can step into foundational master's courses in data science, computer science, engineering, and theology to chart their own path to completion. Some courses require varying degrees of mathematical and statistical proficiency or experience, and certain prerequisites may be enforced. To learn more, email AICert@smu.edu.
To apply, you must have a completed bachelor’s degree.
While students with a background in fields like data science, computer science, statistical science, digital humanities, engineering, theology, or ethics may find the coursework especially aligned with their experience, the program is open to professionals from all disciplines.
Depending on preferred path and course selection, some courses may have additional prerequisites
We review applications on a rolling basis. There are benefits to applying before the priority deadlines, but you can submit your application any time before the final deadline.
It takes less than 10 minutes to start an application for our program, and your progress is automatically saved, allowing you to take your time and resume the application when you are ready. Once the initial application has been submitted, you will receive directions on how to enter the graduate portal to be able to submit other materials.
There is a $75 application fee when you submit your application. However, this fee is waived for prospective students who submit their application by the priority deadline.
We require official transcripts for all higher education institutions where the applicant has earned at least 9 credits, whether a degree was completed or not. Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded to the application for admission purposes.
All admitted applicants who decide to enroll at SMU will need to provide official transcripts before registering for courses. Official transcripts can be submitted electronically or in hard copy format. When sending an electronic transcript, please note that SMU will only accept electronic transcripts sent from the transferable institution via a secure means (e.g., Scrip-Safe, NSC).
We will not accept official electronic transcripts sent by students. Institutions can send electronic transcripts to gradappmaterials@smu.edu.
Hard copy transcripts must be sealed and sent by the applicant’s institution to the following address:
SMU Graduate Application Processing
P.O. Box 518
Dallas, TX 75275-0518
Once we’ve received all application materials, our graduate admission board will review your application and email your decision to you within 10 business days.